Chapter 369

Chapter 369: The Dust Settles

After hearing Sunlight Child’s words, Moonlight Child and Starlight Child finally nodded, showing that they understood.

Reluctantly, they brought forth their life-bound flying swords. The Divine Swords seemed to possess a spirit of their own, sensing their impending separation from their masters, and began to emit mournful cries while subtly resisting their owners’ will, unwilling to leave.

With no other choice, the two had to seal the spirits of their Divine Swords, causing them to fall into a temporary slumber.

Then, they presented the two swords to Fang Lie, along with a Jade Slip just completed by Sunlight Child and their Sumeru Bags. The Jade Slip contained all the information he wanted to leave for the Sect.

Fang Lie casually gathered everything and reassured them again, "Don’t worry, I will surely deliver this Jade Slip to you at East Kunlun!"

"Better be so!" Starlight Child said with indignation, "Otherwise, even as ghosts, the three of us will not spare you!"

"Unfortunately, those who die here can’t even become ghosts!" Fang Lie scoffed, then continued, "Well, since the three of you seem somewhat reasonable, I’ll lend you a hand. After I die, the Thunder Tribulation will be reduced by more than half, making it a bit easier for you. You might even survive!"

After saying this, Fang Lie didn’t waste any more words. He raised his hand and shattered his celestial spirit with a palm strike, then his body turned into a ball of flames, disappearing without a trace.

After Fang Lie’s death, the Thunder Tribulation in the sky indeed decreased significantly. A large part of it had been targeting his Sizzling Sun Divine Lightning Pearls.

Now that Fang Lie was gone, that portion of the Thunder Tribulation lost its target and gradually dissipated.

Even so, the remaining storm clouds were still terrifying. Sunlight Child frowned and said, "It seems Fang Lie didn’t lie to us; even after his death, the storm clouds really have diminished by more than half, but the rest is still beyond our capability!"

"Alas, it appears we are truly doomed this time!" Moonlight Child said gloomily. "It’s a pity we not only failed the Sect’s mission but also let Fang Lie take an enormous bargain! We indeed owe our Sect an apology!"

"Enough nonsense!" Sunlight Child said sternly. "The Three Light Divine Swords are a set second only to the Ten Divine Swords of the Sect, inheriting knowledge for over ten thousand years. They are on the verge of advancing to Eighth-rank; at that time, they will surely stand alongside the Ten Divine Swords. If we destroy them, we would truly become eternal sinners!"

"I understand!" Moonlight Child nodded and then said, "Big Brother, Third Brother, let’s charge boldly into the final battle of our lives!"

"Alright!" Sunlight Child laughed heartily, "Even without the Sunlight Divine Sword, my sword intent is not to be taken lightly!"

As he spoke, Sunlight Child suddenly burst forth with brilliant light, illuminating the entire space as if the sun had risen. Where he passed, the lingering mist of ten thousand years began to dissipate, revealing a bright and clear landscape!

Seeing this scene, Moonlight Child and Starlight Child were also filled with passion. They simultaneously unleashed their sword intent, one projecting a cold and proud moonlight, the other a dazzling starry river, both rising into the air, shining together with the sunlight.

However, their actions provoked the Thunder Tribulation, which regarded it as a challenge. The lightning that had needed a moment to brew suddenly erupted, an endless torrent of thunder and lightning crashing down, drowning the Sun, Moon, and Stars!

Although the Three Light Taoists were top experts and their combined formation significantly enhanced their power, unfortunately, without flying sword assistance, their strength was greatly diminished. Moreover, the Thunder Tribulation overhead was especially terrifying, so they could only withstand for a short moment before being ruthlessly reduced to ashes!

After completely eliminating the three, the Thunder Tribulation slowly dissipated.

Once the storm clouds completely vanished, the mist finally began to clear. In a spot where they had just been, a spark suddenly ignited and quickly became a large flame. The fire came swiftly but disappeared even faster, leaving no trace behind—only a winged humanoid figure remained!

Without a doubt, this figure was Fang Lie.

Although he was dead, he still carried the Nirvana Fire Seed within him. The Nirvana Fire Seed was minuscule, like a subatomic particle, much smaller than even specks of dust.

Such a tiny thing would be difficult for even the Fire Tribulation Immortal to detect, and even the Heavenly Dao Thunder Tribulations here could not sense it.

That was why Fang Lie escaped disaster and could revive in full state at the same location.

Looking at the now-vanished Three Light Taoists, Fang Lie shook his head and sighed, "The Three Light Taoists had a decent reputation, having hunted countless demons, considered fierce warriors of the righteous path. It’s a pity they died here!"

"Indeed~" the old bird also sighed, "Each of these three alone could be considered a top talent; together, their combat power rivals that of core disciples from major sects. Now they’ve died without a trace—it’s likely the Higher-ups at East Kunlun will go mad! I ask you, do you really plan to give them the Jade Slip?"

"Of course~" Fang Lie replied without hesitation, "I promised!"

"But you should understand, the Jade Slip surely contains nothing good, especially since it will expose your acquisitions of the Eighteen Arhats and the Three Light Divine Swords. That’s a big trouble!" the old bird said gravely.

"Hehe, ever since I passed through the Cycle of Fire and gained my undying nature, I haven’t feared any trouble!" Fang Lie said with a smile. "Even if the Three Light Taoists didn’t mention it in the Jade Slip, I would spread it. After all, it’s not often one has the chance to openly take down them without worrying about provoking the sect!"

"Hehe, that’s true. The Lost Forest is the place for the Path Contest. According to the rules, no matter what happens inside, as long as you leave the Lost Forest, everything is canceled!" the old bird said with a smile. "So, even if the Great Thunder Sound Temple and East Kunlun suffered greatly, they cannot boldly seek revenge. At least they’ve taken this silent loss!"

"Hehe, I enjoy seeing them have to put on a smiling face after suffering a huge loss!" Fang Lie replied with a sly grin.

"Why should they give you a smile?" the old bird asked, confused.

"Of course, it’s because of these two treasures!" Fang Lie exclaimed in surprise. "Don’t they want to redeem them from me?"

"They dream of it, but you definitely won’t let them succeed!" the old bird continued.

"Exactly, I won’t sell them easily!" Fang Lie said, smiling brightly. "But the problem is, they don’t know my plans, so they’ll definitely come knocking on my door! Just wait and see how I make them feel awkward!"

"You’ve got guts!" the old bird said, feeling both amused and helpless.

After two more days, their time in the Lost Forest finally came to an end.

When the time was up, Fang Lie felt a tightness in his body, and he was then teleported out of the Lost Forest.

When he woke from his daze, he found himself in a lush oasis.

Surrounding the oasis were five major sect flying vessels: Mo Sect’s earth’s magnetic force ship, East Kunlun’s flying sword, Great Thunder Sound Temple’s Buddha Mountain, Blood Sea Sect’s blood palace, and Ghost Realm Sect’s ghost head!

At that moment, everyone on the five warships was watching the oasis, waiting for their companions to arrive.

Normally, hundreds of people would appear at the oasis all at once.

However, after waiting for a long time, they found that only Fang Lie emerged.

Instantly, everyone was stunned! Several hundred from the five major sects entered, yet only one person came out? This must be the first time in the thousands of years of their history!

Soon, the crowd erupted in chaotic discussions.

"Damn it, why did only one person come out?"

"And it’s Fang Lie at that?"

"Damn it, why is the one who shouldn’t be dead alive while the others are gone? What kind of situation is this?"

While everyone debated, the two leaders from the Great Thunder Sound Temple and East Kunlun, Master Fa Yin and Wu Liangzi, wore extremely dark expressions.

They knew a bit of the hidden truth—the latest journey into the Lost Forest was unusual, with an important figure infiltrating it, their aim being to kill Fang Lie.

But now, Fang Lie was out and the important person had vanished without a trace. What were they supposed to say when they returned?

Reluctantly, Master Fa Yin stepped forward and addressed Fang Lie, "Excuse me, Benefactor Fang, have you seen my monks from the Great Thunder Sound Temple?"

"I did see them!" Fang Lie replied with a smile. "Including your Senior Uncle, Jie Yan, all your bald devils are dead, not one left!"

Upon hearing this, everyone inhaled sharply.

"Senior Uncle of Master Fa Yin? Jie Yan? Isn’t he the Fire Tribulation Immortal? Why would he go to the Lost Forest?"

"Fang Lie boasts so much; does he really think he could kill the Fire Tribulation Immortal? Isn’t that a joke?"

"They say Fang Family members are straightforward and never fabricate, but it seems their golden reputation is about to be shattered by Fang Lie; this guy is blowing his horn too far!"

At that moment, Master Fa Yin’s expression changed dramatically, and he quickly said, "Fang Lie, what nonsense are you talking? Our Great Thunder Sound Temple would never send the Fire Tribulation Immortal inside! Moreover, even if Senior Uncle went in, how could you kill him?"

"I definitely did!" Fang Lie said with a beaming smile. "Don’t believe me? Then take a look at this. Is this not the complete Eighth-Rank Treasure—the Eighteen Arhats—of your Great Thunder Sound Temple?"

Saying that, Fang Lie revealed a relic.

Though its glow was dim and its aura unstable, being a skilled person from the Great Thunder Sound Temple, Master Fa Yin recognized it at once. He couldn’t help but exclaim, "This… how is this possible?"

Upon hearing this, the others were also taken aback.

"Those are the Eighteen Arhats? Why does it look like a Seventh-rank to me? Is Master Fa Yin getting old and confused?"

"That can’t be! Buddhist disciples would never misidentify their own treasures. That thing must have been downgraded by some strong force!"

"To downgrade an Eighth-Rank High-Grade treasure? That would require at least Semi-Immortal power! Could Fang Lie be so abnormal?"

"He may not be, but the expert backing him could very well be. I heard Fang Lie is a candidate for the future son-in-law of the Mo Sect Leader. It’s perfectly normal for him to have a life-saving item given by a Semi-Immortal!"